Background:

Tan Son Nhat International Airport has its origins in the early 1930's when the French Colonial government constructed a small unpaved airport, known as Tan Son Nhat Airfield in the village of Tan Son Nhat. By mid-1956, United States foreign aid built a 7,200-foot runway and the facility became South Vietnam's International Airport. Before 1975, Tan Son Nhat International Airport has been one of the busiest airbases worldwide. On December 9, 2004, United Airlines became the first U.S. airline to fly to Vietnam since Pan Am's last flight during the Fall of Saigon. UA869 (a Boeing 747-400) landed at Ho Chi Minh City, which was a continuation of United Airline's services (San Francisco - Hong Kong). In 2005, this airport served approximately 7 million passengers (of the total 14 million passengers in Viet Nam's airports). Tan Son Nhat International Airport has recently accounted for nearly two thirds of the international arrivals and departures in Vietnam's all airports. Due to the increasing demand (about 15% per annually), this airport has been continuously expanded by the Southern Airports Authority.

The New International Terminal:

The invested capital for this Terminal is around $260 million funded by Japan Government Official Development Assistance (ODA). Upon completion at the end of 2006, this four-story Terminal covers 100,000 square meters, with 8 air-bridge and state-of-art equipments have a capacity of 8 to 10 million international passengers per year.

General Information:

the airport is about 4 Miles (7 km) from downtown Ho Chi Minh City.

Airport Layout:

1. Area to clear immigration for entry into Viet Nam. 2. Area to get back your checked baggage. 3. Area to clear Customs for passengers' baggage.

Departure Tax:

Domestic flight: VCD ,000 (Approimately. $1), International flight: $.00 (1 US Dollar is approximately VND)

Transportation: Meter taxis and busses are available.

Services in Tan Son Nhat International Airport:

Lost and Found: is located on the ground floor, at the end of Custom clearance area. Should you fail to find your luggage on the conveyer, go straight forward (with Custom counters on your right) to the end of the hall, and report this to the staffs at the TIAGS counter. The staff there will instruct you to fill in a form descriptions of your luggage. You missing luggage will be delivered to your hotel in the next day.

Foreign Exchange: There is only one Foreign Exchange counter in Tan Son Nhat Airport at the exit of International Arrival Terminal, it is placed behind the glass door, on the left after you have cleared Customs procedures.